By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
Michael Chang, the former French Open champion, is studying theology at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif. Chang, 34, retired in 2003 and still follows tennis, including this yearís United States Open run by his contemporary Andre Agassi, who played his final match.

MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT

WHAT PARTS OF THEOLOGY ARE YOU STUDYING?

I am just trying to get biblically stronger.

WHAT DENOMINATION ARE YOU?

I am actually nondenominational. HAVE YOU BEEN A CHRISTIAN YOUR WHOLE LIFE?

Not throughout my entire life. I actually became a Christian in my rookie year on tour when I was 16 years old. I look at tennis as a bit of a platform to hopefully touch lives and encourage people.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS YEARíS U.S. OPEN? Personally, I would like to have seen Andre go all the way. That would have been fun! It was tough for him with his back situation, but itís certainly a career worth celebrating.

IS FEDERER THE BEST PLAYER EVER? I think itís difficult to say. If he is not the best, he is certainly up there for sure.

IS FEDERER BETTER THAN PETE SAMPRAS IN HIS PRIME? I think in certain aspects Federerís game is a little more complete. I think Pete had a little more firepower. It would be interesting to see them play at both the peak of their careers. I think it is a little easier for Federer nowadays because he doesnít have to deal with too many pure serve-and-volleyers. I think in Peteís day we had a combination of pure serve-and-volleyers in guys like Becker and Edberg and also really strong baseliners as well.

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
Michael Chang, the former French Open champion, is studying theology at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif. Chang, 34, retired in 2003 and still follows tennis, including this yearís United States Open run by his contemporary Andre Agassi, who played his final match.

MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT

WHAT PARTS OF THEOLOGY ARE YOU STUDYING?

I am just trying to get biblically stronger.

WHAT DENOMINATION ARE YOU?

I am actually nondenominational. HAVE YOU BEEN A CHRISTIAN YOUR WHOLE LIFE?

Not throughout my entire life. I actually became a Christian in my rookie year on tour when I was 16 years old. I look at tennis as a bit of a platform to hopefully touch lives and encourage people.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS YEARíS U.S. OPEN? Personally, I would like to have seen Andre go all the way. That would have been fun! It was tough for him with his back situation, but itís certainly a career worth celebrating.

IS FEDERER THE BEST PLAYER EVER? I think itís difficult to say. If he is not the best, he is certainly up there for sure.

IS FEDERER BETTER THAN PETE SAMPRAS IN HIS PRIME? I think in certain aspects Federerís game is a little more complete. I think Pete had a little more firepower. It would be interesting to see them play at both the peak of their careers. I think it is a little easier for Federer nowadays because he doesnít have to deal with too many pure serve-and-volleyers. I think in Peteís day we had a combination of pure serve-and-volleyers in guys like Becker and Edberg and also really strong baseliners as well.